IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution — Organic Food: Band 9 Sample & Analysis

Quick Summary

Organic food represents a complex intersection of health, environmental, and economic concerns, making it an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 problem-solution essays. This comprehensive guide provides a complete Band 9 sample answer with detailed expert analysis, demonstrating advanced vocabulary usage, sophisticated argumentation, and perfect essay structure.

The sample essay addresses key organic food challenges including accessibility, affordability, and production scalability while proposing realistic solutions involving policy support, consumer education, and agricultural innovation. Expert analysis breaks down every component demonstrating why this response achieves Band 9 across all assessment criteria.

This guide provides invaluable insights into high-level essay construction, advanced vocabulary application, and sophisticated problem-solution development that candidates can apply to achieve their highest possible IELTS Writing scores.

Understanding Band 9 writing standards through authentic examples enables targeted improvement and strategic preparation for organic food and related agricultural topics.

Sample Question

The increasing demand for organic food has created several challenges including higher prices, limited availability, and questions about sustainability. What problems does this trend cause and what solutions can be implemented to address these issues?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Band 9 Sample Answer

The growing popularity of organic food production, while representing positive environmental awareness, has generated significant challenges that require comprehensive solutions to ensure sustainable and equitable food systems.

The primary problems stemming from increased organic food demand center on accessibility and economic sustainability. Firstly, organic products typically cost 20-50% more than conventional alternatives due to labor-intensive farming methods and lower yields per hectare, creating socioeconomic barriers that limit access primarily to affluent consumers. This price premium exacerbates existing food inequality, as low-income families cannot afford healthier options despite often facing higher rates of diet-related health conditions. Secondly, organic farming's geographic concentration in specific regions creates supply chain inefficiencies and availability gaps, particularly in urban areas and developing countries where distribution infrastructure remains inadequate. Additionally, organic agriculture's lower productivity raises concerns about meeting global food security needs, especially considering projected population growth requiring 70% increased food production by 2050.

However, targeted policy interventions and technological innovations can effectively address these challenges. Government subsidies for organic farmers could reduce production costs and retail prices, similar to successful programs in Denmark where organic food prices decreased 15% following agricultural support initiatives. Furthermore, investment in local organic farming infrastructure through urban agriculture programs and vertical farming technologies can improve accessibility while reducing transportation costs and environmental impact. Consumer education campaigns highlighting long-term health and environmental benefits can justify premium pricing while encouraging gradual dietary transitions. Finally, research into organic farming techniques, including precision agriculture and biotechnology applications compatible with organic standards, can increase yields while maintaining environmental benefits.

In conclusion, while organic food demand creates legitimate accessibility and sustainability concerns, coordinated efforts involving policy support, infrastructure development, and technological advancement can create more equitable and efficient organic food systems that benefit both consumers and environmental health.

Word count: 294

Expert Analysis: Why This Achieves Band 9

Task Response Analysis (Band 9)

Complete Question Coverage: The response thoroughly addresses all aspects of the question by identifying specific problems (price barriers, accessibility issues, sustainability concerns) and proposing corresponding solutions (subsidies, infrastructure investment, education, research).

Clear Position Development: The essay maintains consistent focus on the central argument that organic food challenges can be solved through coordinated policy and technological interventions, with each paragraph building toward this conclusion.

Relevant Examples and Evidence:

• Specific price premium statistics (20-50% higher costs)
• Denmark policy success example (15% price reduction)
• Global context with population growth projections (70% food increase by 2050)
• Concrete solution examples (urban agriculture, vertical farming)

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Coherence and Cohesion Analysis (Band 9)

Logical Progression:

• Introduction establishes context and thesis
• First body paragraph focuses entirely on problem identification
• Second body paragraph presents comprehensive solutions
• Conclusion synthesizes main points and reinforces thesis

Advanced Linking Devices:

• "while representing positive environmental awareness" (contrast)
• "The primary problems stemming from" (causation)
• "However, targeted policy interventions" (solution transition)
• "Furthermore" and "Additionally" (solution development)
• "In conclusion" (synthesis introduction)

Paragraph Cohesion: Each paragraph maintains internal coherence through topic sentences, supporting details, and concluding statements that connect to the overall argument.

Lexical Resource Analysis (Band 9)

Sophisticated Vocabulary Range:

Problem Description Vocabulary:

• "socioeconomic barriers," "price premium," "exacerbates existing food inequality"
• "supply chain inefficiencies," "availability gaps," "distribution infrastructure"
• "geographic concentration," "productivity concerns," "food security needs"

Solution Vocabulary:

• "targeted policy interventions," "technological innovations," "agricultural support initiatives"
• "precision agriculture," "biotechnology applications," "coordinated efforts"
• "infrastructure development," "vertical farming technologies"

Advanced Collocations:

• "comprehensive solutions," "sustainable food systems," "labor-intensive farming methods"
• "diet-related health conditions," "projected population growth," "environmental impact"
• "consumer education campaigns," "gradual dietary transitions," "environmental benefits"

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BabyCode's lexical resource system provides extensive organic food and agricultural vocabulary with contextual usage examples, helping students achieve sophisticated expression in food-related topics.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy Analysis (Band 9)

Complex Sentence Structures:

Multi-Clause Constructions: "The growing popularity of organic food production, while representing positive environmental awareness, has generated significant challenges that require comprehensive solutions to ensure sustainable and equitable food systems."

Conditional and Causal Relationships: "Government subsidies for organic farmers could reduce production costs and retail prices, similar to successful programs in Denmark where organic food prices decreased 15% following agricultural support initiatives."

Grammatical Variety:

• Present perfect continuous: "has generated significant challenges"
• Conditional structures: "could reduce production costs"
• Comparative forms: "20-50% more than conventional alternatives"
• Complex relative clauses: "low-income families cannot afford healthier options despite often facing higher rates of diet-related health conditions"
• Gerund phrases: "considering projected population growth requiring 70% increased food production"

Error-Free Accuracy: The essay demonstrates consistent grammatical control with no errors affecting meaning or clarity.

Vocabulary Analysis for Band 9 Achievement

Topic-Specific Terminology

Organic Agriculture Vocabulary:

• Organic certification standards, sustainable farming practices
• Pesticide-free cultivation, natural fertilization methods
• Crop rotation systems, biodiversity preservation
• Soil health maintenance, ecological balance

Economic and Policy Terms:

• Agricultural subsidies, market intervention mechanisms
• Price elasticity, consumer purchasing power
• Supply chain optimization, distribution networks
• Economic sustainability, cost-benefit analysis

Food Security Concepts:

• Nutritional accessibility, food system resilience
• Population growth projections, agricultural productivity
• Global food distribution, resource allocation
• Dietary transition patterns, consumption behaviors

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BabyCode's organic food vocabulary system provides extensive terminology covering agricultural science, economics, policy, and health aspects essential for sophisticated food topic discussions.

Advanced Collocation Patterns

Problem Identification Collocations:

• "Significant challenges," "socioeconomic barriers," "price premium"
• "Geographic concentration," "supply chain inefficiencies," "availability gaps"
• "Lower productivity," "food security concerns," "sustainability questions"

Solution Development Collocations:

• "Targeted interventions," "policy support," "infrastructure investment"
• "Technological innovations," "agricultural advancement," "research initiatives"
• "Consumer education," "awareness campaigns," "behavior modification"

Structure Analysis: Problem-Solution Architecture

Introduction Framework

Context Establishment: "The growing popularity of organic food production" - establishes topic relevance and current context

Problem Acknowledgment: "while representing positive environmental awareness, has generated significant challenges" - shows balanced understanding

Solution Preview: "that require comprehensive solutions to ensure sustainable and equitable food systems" - indicates solution-focused approach

Problem Development Strategy

Systematic Problem Categorization:

1. Economic accessibility barriers
2. Geographic availability limitations
3. Production scalability concerns

Evidence Integration:

• Statistical support (20-50% price premium)
• Social impact analysis (food inequality effects)
• Global context (population growth projections)

Impact Assessment: Each problem includes analysis of consequences for different stakeholder groups

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Solution Integration Approach

Multi-Level Solution Framework:

• Government policy interventions (subsidies, support programs)
• Infrastructure and technology development (urban agriculture, vertical farming)
• Social and educational initiatives (consumer awareness, behavior change)
• Research and innovation (productivity improvement, sustainable techniques)

Implementation Strategy: Each solution includes practical implementation details and success examples

Feasibility Assessment: Solutions address practical constraints and provide realistic pathways for implementation

Common Band 9 Techniques Demonstrated

Advanced Argumentation Strategies

Balanced Perspective Development: Acknowledges positive aspects of organic food movement while addressing legitimate challenges

Evidence-Based Reasoning: Uses specific statistics, case studies, and expert projections to support arguments

Multi-Stakeholder Consideration: Addresses impacts on consumers, farmers, policymakers, and society broadly

Future-Oriented Analysis: Considers long-term implications and sustainability requirements

Sophisticated Language Features

Academic Register Maintenance: Consistent formal tone appropriate for academic writing context

Precise Terminology Usage: Employs specific vocabulary accurately without overcomplication

Varied Sentence Structures: Demonstrates grammatical range through diverse construction patterns

Cohesive Device Mastery: Uses linking words and phrases naturally to create smooth progression

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Application Strategies for Similar Topics

Adaptable Framework Elements

Problem Categorization System:

• Economic barriers and accessibility issues
• Supply chain and distribution challenges
• Sustainability and scalability concerns
• Social equity and health implications

Solution Development Approach:

• Policy intervention strategies
• Technological innovation applications
• Infrastructure development initiatives
• Education and awareness programs

Evidence Integration Methods:

• Statistical data incorporation
• Case study utilization
• Expert opinion references
• Comparative analysis techniques

Related Topic Applications

Food Security Essays: Apply similar structure to GMO foods, food waste, malnutrition

Environmental Topics: Adapt framework for sustainable agriculture, climate change agriculture

Health and Society Issues: Use approach for processed food problems, dietary health challenges

Economic Development Topics: Apply to small-scale farming, agricultural modernization, rural development

Practice and Improvement Strategies

Vocabulary Development Focus

Technical Term Mastery: Study organic agriculture, food policy, and nutrition terminology

Collocation Practice: Learn natural word combinations specific to food and agriculture topics

Register Consistency: Maintain appropriate academic tone throughout essay development

Structure Development Practice

Problem Analysis Skills: Practice identifying multiple problem dimensions and their interconnections

Solution Integration Techniques: Develop ability to propose comprehensive, multi-level solutions

Evidence Selection: Learn to choose most relevant and impactful supporting examples

BabyCode Enhancement: Targeted Skill Development

BabyCode's practice system provides specific exercises for organic food topics, including vocabulary building, structure development, and evidence integration for systematic Band 9 preparation.

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Related Articles

Enhance your IELTS Writing Task 2 food and health topic expertise with these comprehensive resources:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Food Security: Complete Strategy Guide
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem-Solution Essays: Advanced Structure
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Health Issues: Band 9 Analysis
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Environmental Topics: Expert Guide
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Vocabulary: Food and Agriculture
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Task Response: Problem-Solution Mastery

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much specific knowledge about organic farming do I need for IELTS essays? A: You don't need expert agricultural knowledge, but understanding basic concepts helps. Know that organic food typically costs more, uses fewer synthetic chemicals, may have lower yields, and appeals to health/environmental concerns. Focus on demonstrating logical thinking and language skills rather than specialized expertise.

Q: Should I take a strong position for or against organic food? A: In problem-solution essays, focus on balanced analysis rather than strong advocacy. Acknowledge both benefits and challenges of organic food while proposing reasonable solutions. This demonstrates sophisticated thinking and avoids appearing biased or oversimplified.

Q: How do I make my organic food essay different from environmental essays? A: While organic food connects to environmental issues, focus specifically on food system challenges: accessibility, affordability, production efficiency, and consumer choice. Include health considerations, economic factors, and social equity alongside environmental aspects for comprehensive coverage.

Q: What if I don't know specific statistics about organic food? A: Use general but reasonable estimates like "significantly higher costs," "limited availability in many regions," or "growing consumer demand." The key is demonstrating logical analysis rather than memorizing precise data. Focus on relationships between concepts rather than exact numbers.

Q: How do I avoid repetition when discussing both problems and solutions? A: Use varied vocabulary and sentence structures. For problems, use terms like "challenges," "difficulties," "barriers," "obstacles." For solutions, use "interventions," "strategies," "measures," "initiatives." Vary your sentence openings and connecting phrases to maintain interest and sophistication.

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